Courgevaux
Origin of the name Courgevaux
The village appears in 1055 as « Corgivul ». Its German name is Gurwolf. The meaning of the name has not been established.[1]
Founding of Courgevaux
Courgevaux lies on the Morat-Fribourg route. Nobles of Courgevaux, recorded in the 11th and 12th centuries, were probably linked to the castle mentioned from the 13th century. The village belongs to the parish of Meyriez (Merlach). Vineyards, livestock and mixed farming provided a living for the inhabitants.[1]
History of Courgevaux
1055. Courgevaux is mentioned for the first time, as « Corgivul ».[1]
11th-12th century. Nobles of Courgevaux are recorded.[1]
13th century. A castle is mentioned in the village.[1]
Under Savoy. Courgevaux belongs to the lordship of Murten (Morat).[1]
1448. A fire strikes the village.[1]
1484-1798. The village belongs to the joint bailiwick of Murten.[1]
1530. Courgevaux adopts the Reformation.[1]
17th century. Tobacco growing begins.[1]
1665. A parish school is recorded.[1]
1684. The Diesbach manor is built.[1]
1688. A small castle is built on the Herrenschwand estate.[1]
1726. Another fire strikes Courgevaux.[1]
19th century. The vineyards, cultivated until then, disappear.[1]
1945. The firm Rastawerk SA, which makes discs and grinding wheels, is founded.[1]
1950-2000. French speakers make up 48 % of the population in 1950 and 30 % in 1990. The share of German speakers rises from 46 % in 1990 to 56 % in 2000.[1]
2003. Rastawerk ends production at Courgevaux.[1]
Population of Courgevaux
Sources and references: [1][3]
| 1558-1559 | 24 hearths |
| 1811 | 169 |
| 1850 | 293 |
| 1888 | 497 |
| 1900 | 490 |
| 1941 | 384 |
| 1950 | 427 |
| 1970 | 709 |
| 1980 | 662 |
| 2000 | 903 |
| 2025 | 1'431 |
Historic sites in Courgevaux
Diesbach de Liebistorf manor. Built in 1684, the manor is listed as a cultural property of regional importance.[1][2]
Small castle of the Herrenschwand estate. A small castle dated 1688.[1]
Former Diesbach tile works. The tile works of the de Diesbach family, on the Chemin du Château, is listed as a cultural property of regional importance.[2]
Primary school. The primary school buildings on the Place de l'Ecole are also cultural properties of regional importance.[2]
Remains in Courgevaux
Bronze Age settlement. A Bronze Age settlement has been identified on the municipal territory.[1]
Roman tile kiln. A Roman tile kiln has been discovered at Courgevaux.[1]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Courgevaux » (Marianne Rolle, version du 18.11.2010)
- Office fédéral de la protection de la population, « Révision Inventaire PBC 2021 : liste cantonale, canton de Fribourg » (état au 1.1.2026)
- Service de la statistique du canton de Fribourg (SStat), « Population des communes, de 1900 à 2025 » (T01-02-03), population résidante permanente au 31.12.2025
Other villages near Courgevaux
Missing information, or do you have a source? Suggest a correction or addition. Every submission is checked before it's published.
Suggest a change